Predator

[suzywolford]

help! I’ve lost 5 hens over the last 6 weeks. My coup is fully covered with shade cloth. 6 ft dog run attached to 5X5 shed. I thought something was coming into the small windows on shed however when I lost
First 4 those are now closed. Enclosure is fully fenced. Any ideas??

 

[suzywolford]

help! I’ve lost 5 hens over the last 6 weeks. My coup is fully covered with shade cloth. 6 ft dog run attached to 5X5 shed. I thought something was coming into the small windows on shed however when I lost
First 4 those are now closed. Enclosure is fully fenced. Any ideas??

No evidence of struggle...hens just diasappear!

 

[Quailobsessed]

What sort of predators do you get in your area? I know some people get rats, foxes, hawks, raccoons, coyotes...

Just wondering so I know what to suggest.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Is there any chance something could be burrowing in?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Clear photos of your set up including any possible weak points would help. That said...

Run is "fully fenced" in what material? How high? How well attached are the fence components (i.e. staples, zip ties, fender washers and screws, etc). Is there an apron and if so, how far out? Shade cloth is definitely not a predator proof top.

Coop windows aren't covered in wire mesh? Any other gaps in coop larger than 1/2" that aren't covered in wire? Is the coop elevated, on concrete, on dirt?

When are the chickens disappearing?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Shade cloth will not stop them hardware cloth over all openings photos will help to know how a predator got in

 

[cmom]

It could be a number of predators. My suggestion is to put up a game camera and most likely the predator will return and get it's picture taken. I have several cameras and most night I see a predator on at least one of the cameras. Here the predators mostly roam at night so I wanted a camera that has good nighttime picture. Most cameras take good daytime pictures but all are not equal at taking nighttime pictures. Here is a good camera under $35. The only drawback is that it takes the tiny micro SD card.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGMQRWP/?tag=backy-20

 

[cmom]

I have another camera where the light is showing in the background.

 

[50-45-1]

help! I’ve lost 5 hens over the last 6 weeks.

lost them...lost them how?
are the bodies completely missing?
if there are carcasses, what condition, what damage?
are they coming up missing during the day or at night?
one clue i see is that the chain link run seams like a solid barrier against some predators, BUT raccoons can climb over it, weasel and rat can fit through it, dogs fox and coyote can dig under it and then if the coop is not closed up tight....
pictures would help.
sorry for the loss of your birds!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@suzywolford - So sorry for your loses. Please do get yourself a game camera or two to put on your pen to identify your culprit(s)